Looking for the book?
We have the summary! Get the key insights in just 10 minutes.

Rating

8Overall

8
Importance

9
Innovation

8
Style

Recommendation

Progressives and conservatives have different talking points about the economy, yet both use phrases like “the economy is suffering,” or say that people of color are “lagging behind.” Communications consultant Anat Shenker-Osorio argues that those terms may sound neutral, but in fact she interprets them as carrying a rightward slant. To suggest the poor are falling behind implies they’re to blame – while ignoring policies that contribute to their plight. Shenker-Osorio can be repetitive, but she’s consistently readable and provocative. She skillfully shines a light on hidden political biases in economic discourse. getAbstract, while always politically neutral, recommends this analysis to students, policy makers and commentators interested in how language shapes public opinion and policy, and to readers seeking to decode messages from the right or the left.

In this summary, you will learn

How conservatives drive economic discourse by the metaphors they use,

How progressives undercut their message by using those metaphors

How progressives can use language to redirect the discourse if they stand up for their beliefs.

About the Author

Communications consultant Anat Shenker-Osorio spent three years researching how people reach conclusions about the economy. She develops strategic messaging on current affairs issues.

Summary

Everyday Words, Hidden Biases The
words sound neutral enough: “The economy is ailing.” “Money will flow to where it will earn the greatest return.” “There’s a widening gap between rich and poor.”